Care for a Crane

A sandhill crane that was treated at UF’s Small Animal Hospital after being found stuck in the muck at Orange Lake was released to state Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission biologists on March 14. The biologists transported the bird to Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo, where it will undergo further rehabilitative care before hopefully being released back into the wild.

UF zoological medicine veterinarians reported that the crane arrived on March 2 in critical condition, coated in mud, cold and very lethargic. Veterinarians administered oxygen and inserted an IV catheter to provide fluids to the bird, and by the end of the day, the crane was standing and acting more normal.

“Serial blood work was performed to monitor for muscle damage and kidney damage that occurs when animals have been struggling or have had a high period of exertion,” said Dr. Jessica Emerson, a zoological medicine resident, adding that the crane’s blood values, attitude and appetite improved during its stay due to treatment.

At the time of its release, the crane had continued to show improvement in attitude and appetite, although UF veterinarians say there is still the potential that further muscle damage or chronic kidney damage could occur and render the animal unreleasable.

“However, at this time we are cautiously optimistic that this crane will do well,” Emerson said.